KELLY CUP FINALS: Diehards trek to Vegas to support Everblades

Louise Festa, Suzanna Navarro, Belinda Hanley and Michelle Gable, all from Florida, cheer as the Florida Everblades score their only goal againstthe Las Vegas Wranglers late in the 3rd period of play during the 1st game of the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals in Las Vegas , Nevada, Monday May 14, 2012 at the Orleans Arena. The Wranglers won 2-1.

LAS VEGAS - KELLY CUP FINALS

Game 1: Las Vegas 2, Florida 1 (Las Vegas leads series 1-0)

Game 2: Tuesday, May 15 at Las Vegas, 10:05 p.m.

Game 3: Friday, May 18, at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4: Tuesday, May 22, at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

*Game 5: Wednesday, May 23, at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

*Game 6: Friday, May 25, at Las Vegas, 10:05 p.m.

*Game 7: Saturday, May 26, at Las Vegas, 10:05 p.m.

* — If necessary

When the Florida Everblades players walked into the Orleans Hotel, they there were: loyal members of the Everblades fan club who made the cross-country trip to watch the team play in the Kelly Cup Finals in person.

"We just didn't want to miss it," Everblades fan club president Suzanna Navarro said. "We wanted to be here to cheer on the guys."

Navarro and a host of other Everblades fans traveled on Friday and spent the weekend enjoying the sights and sounds of Las Vegas before attending Monday's Game 1. They were joined in the Orleans Arena stands by a number of friends and family members of Everblades players.

Also making the trip from Florida to Las Vegas are regular travelers Gary "Go Blades" MacNeil and Bubba Devan. In total, roughly 50 Everblades fans were in the arena for the first two games of the series, with about half of them making the trip from Florida.

Florida coach Greg Poss said having fan support on the road, especially in a series of this magnitude, means a lot to him and his players.

"The players really appreciate it and I really appreciate it," Poss said. "The atmosphere they bring us is positive and I know we're going to have a great crowd when we get back home."

Florida forward Mike Ratchuk said that playing in a hostile environment like the Orleans is a little easier when familiar faces are around the rink.

"In warm-ups they were up against the glass cheering us on," Ratchuk said. "People have been sending messages on Facebook and Twitter and have really been supporting us and it's exciting to know they're watching and they're all behind us."

The fan support may be a surprise to a player like Ratchuk, who is relatively new to the organization, but defenseman Ryan McGinnis said it's something he's come to expect. McGinnis was a member of the Everblades in 2008-09 and called the Everblades fans some of the best in hockey.

"We appreciate it and we always have and always will," McGinnis said. "Win or lose they're always there and it's just comforting as a player."

Because of the relatively short turnaround between the conference finals and the Kelly Cup Finals, McGinnis said he and his teammates realize the sacrifices fans have to make to travel.

"It means a lot to everybody for this organization for them to take off the time for work," he said. "Plus the money they spend, we know it's a lot but it also means a lot to us."

While they weren't exactly given the warmest reception by the Wranglers home fans on Monday night, Navarro said the trip was well worth it.

"Just to get a chance to come to Las Vegas is great," Navarro said. "And to get to be here with the team makes it an even better experience."